Animated illustration



Sept. 11, 1945 J. R. WEHR ANIMATED ILLUSTRATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 30, 1945 JZ/L/AN BY INVENTOR. IT WE HI? I flTToR/V Sept. 11, 1945.J. R. WEI- IR ANIMATEDILLLUSTRATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May' 30, 1945INVENTOR.

LI/Lm/ 2?, WEHR Sept. 11, 1945. J. R. wEHR ANIMATED ILLUSTRATION v FiledMay :50, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORI. JUL m/ R. WEHR BY nTrom y.

5 swmw U Patented Sept. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in animatedillustrations.

This application is an improvement on my application Serial No. 565,529,filed, November 29, 1944 for Animated illustrations.

The new and improved animated illustrations, in accordance with thisinvention, is characterized by a back sheet having its end portionspassing through spaced openings in an illustrated front sheet so thatsaid end portions overlie on the front sheet, and at least one of saidend portions being connected with an illustrated piece disposed on thefront sheet and which has a projecting portion engaging through anotheropening in the front sheet. With this arrangement it is possible to movethe back sheet by moving its free projecting end portion, and thus willindirectly cause the illustrated front piece to be' moved.

The invention also intends that the back sheet be associated with stemportions projecting from additional illustrated pieces disposed uponsaid front sheet and having said stem portions engaging throughadditional'openings in the front sheet. With this arrangement the backsheet may be moved for moving all of the illustrated pieces on the frontsheet. By utilizing one of the projecting end portions of the back sheetfor moving the connected illustrated piece, it is possible to constructan animated illustration of greater interest.

The invention also proposes to so construct certain of the openings inthe frontsheet, so that the back sheet may be'moved in a longitudinalpath, or may be pivoted, or may be moved so as to be a compound pivotaland longitudinal movement. A modified form of the invention has alsobeen disclosed, in this specification, in which a second illustratedpiece which is also disposed upon the front sheet, is pivotallyconnected with the first named illustrated piece, and this secondillustrated piece is provided with a projecting portion engaging throughanother opening in said front sheet, whereby it is possible to addadditional movements-and greater interest to the animated illustration.

The invention also proposes the construction of an improved animatedillustration as briefly explained which may be manufactured at low costso that it may be used as pages in an animated book.

For further comprehensionof the invention and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly setforth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a page of an animated book, constructedin accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the page shown in Fig. l but with theparts in, a different position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 butturned around to a vertical position. I

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of one of the illustrated pieces of theanimation shown inFigs. l

and'2.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of another one of the pieces. 7

Fig. 6 is an elevationalview of still another one of the pieces.

Fig. '7 is an end elevational view of the back sheet which is used inthe animation.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of another book page embodying a modifiedform of this invention.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the page shown in Fig. 8 but with theparts moved to another position.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view substantially taken on the line10-40 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of one of the illustrated pieces used inFigs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 12 is an elevationalview of still another one of the illustratedpieces. 1

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of still another illustrated piece.

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of still another of the illustratedpieces.

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the back sheet used in Figs. 8 and 9.

The animated illustration, in accordance with that form of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, includes an illustrated frontsheet iEl having a pair of spaced openings H and I2. The opening II iselliptical and simulates the neck opening of the donkey illustrated onthe sheet ID. The opening 12 is in the nature of an arcuate slit. A backsheet I4 has its end portions I5 and I6 passing through said spacedopenings II and I2 and overlaying on said side front sheet Iii. Thisback sheet 14 has one of its ends, namely the end portion l5 illustratedto fit into the illustration on the front sheet Ill. The illustrated endportion l5 simulates the neck of the donkey. The end portion I6 is inthe nature of a tab by which the animated illustration may be operated.The end portion I5 is slightly narrower than the height of the openingI! so that the back sheet i4 is slidably supported. The slit 2 is muchwider than the end portion [6 so that the back sheet l4 may be swungupwards and downwards using the opening H as a pivot.

An illustrated piece I8 is disposed upon the front sheet I6 and ispivotally connected with the illustrated end portion l5 of the backsheet M. This illustrated piece |8 has a projecting portion l9 whichengages through another opening or slit 26 in the front sheet H). Theslit 26' is slightly wider than the width of the projecting portion I9.The illustrated piece I8 is in the nature of the head of the donkey. Theprojecting portion l9 simulates flowers which the donkey is eating outfrom the flower pot which is part of the illustrated front sheet' H).The illustrated piece l6 has an opening 2| through which an eye 22formed on the back sheet 4 isvisible, so that when the animation isworked the eye of the donkey will move. The illustrated piece l8 has aheaded lug 22' which engages through an opening 23 formed in the endportion I5 of the back sheet i4 and comprising a pivotal connectionbetween the back sheet 4 and the illustrated piece I8. The end portionl5 of the back sheet I4 is also provided with a portion of the jaw 23'of th donkey which will move relative to the head l8 when the animationis worked.

The animation is also provided with additional illustrated pieces,namely the pieces 25 and 36. The piece 25 represents a monkey. It isprovided with a projecting stem 26 which engages through a small opening2'! formed in the front sheet II]. This stem 26 also engages through anopening 28 formed in the back sheet l4. The stem 26 has an enlargedportion 29 immediately beneath the opening 2'! which serves topivotally'support the piece 25.

The piece 36 is in the'nature of the hind legs of the donkey. It is alsoprovided with a projecting stem 3| which engages through an opening 32formed in the front sheet [0. This stem 3| also passes through anopening 33 formed in the back sheet M. The stem 3| is provided with anenlarged portion 34 below the opening 32 by which the hind legs 36 arepivotally supported on the front sheet l0. i

The front sheet I6 is bent at one side 36 and continues into a backsection 31 which extends across and covers the pieces on the back of theillustrated front sheet H1.

The dominating feature of this invention resides in the fact that theback sheet M has an end portion which extends out from an opening in thefront sheet l0, and this extended end pivotally connects with andoperates an illustrated piece.

In Figs. 8 to 15 inclusive, another form of the invention has beendisclosed which is very similar to the prior form, but distinguishes inthe fact that a second illustrated piece 40 is disposed upon the frontsheet of the animation and pivotally connects with a first illustratedpiece 4| which in turn is pivotally connected with a back sheet 42. Thesecond illustrated piece 46 is also provided with a projecting portion43 which engages through a slit 44 formed in'the front sheet of theanimation.

'This'second form of the invention may be better understood by notingthat it includes an illustrated front sheet 45 having a pair of spacedopenings 46 and 41. The back sheet 42 has its end portions 48 and 49passing through said spaced openings 46 and 41 and overlying on thefront sheet 45. The projecting end portion 48 is slightly narrower thanthe slot 46 so that th slot 46 will guide the back sheet 42 inlongitudinal sliding. The opening 41 is in the nature of an arcuate slitwhich is much wider than the projecting end portion 49 so that the backsheet 42 may be pivoted as well as moved longitudinally. The back sheet42 has an enlarged central portion 69 the end shoulders of which act asstops against the ends of the openings 46 and 41, limiting movements ofthe back sheet 42.

The illustrated piece 4| is disposed upon the front sheet 45 and isprovided with projecting headed lug 50 which engages through an opening5| in the back sheet 42, by which the illustrated piece 4| ispivotallyconnected with the back sheet 42. The illustrated piece 4| is alsoprovided with a projecting portion 53 which engages through anotheropening, or slit 54 formed in the front sheet 45. The second illustratedpiece 40 is provided with an opening 55 through which the headed lug 56passes and by which the second illustrated piece 46 is pivotallyconnected with the illustrated piece 4|.

The animation also includes additional illustrated pieces 56 and 5?. Thepiece 56 passes through an opening 58 formed in the front sheet 45. Thislatter portion of the piece 56 is in the nature of a stem portion 59which is provided with a headed lug 66 engaging through an opening 6| inthe back sheet 42. The lug 66 engaging the opening 6| serves topivotally connect the illustrated piece 56 with the back sheet 42.

The piece 51 is provided with a stem portion 63 which passes through anopening 64 in the front sheet 45, and which also engages through anopening 65 in the back sheet 42. The stem portion 63 has an enlargement66 immediately below the opening 64 bywhich the piece 5? is pivotallymounted on the front sheet 45.

The animation is operated by movingthe end portion 49 of the back sheet42. This end portion 49 may be pivoted upwards and downwards and may bemoved right or left, or may be moved a component movement of thesepossible movements. When this is done the illustrated pieces will bemoved. Figs. 8 and 9 show two different possible positions of thepieces. A page section 68 extends across the back of the front sheet 45.

The dominating feature of this form of the invention resides in the factthat the back sheet 42 has its end portions engaging through spaceopenings 46 and 41 in the front sheet 45 and has one of its endspivotally connected with a pair of illustrated pieces 46 and 4| whichare pivotally connected with each other, and which are provided withprojecting portions 43 and 53 engaging through slits 44 and 54 in thefront sheet 45.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an animated illustration, an illustrated front sheet having a pairof spaced openings, a

back sheet having its end portions passing through said openings andoverlying said front sheet, and an illustrated piece on said front sheetand pivotally connected with one of said end portions and having aprojecting portion engaging through another opening in said front sheet.

2. In an animated illustration, an illustrated front sheet having a pairof spaced opening, a back sheet haVing its end portions passing throughsaid openings and overlying said front sheet, and an illustrated pieceon said front sheet and pivotally connected with one of said endportions and having a projecting portion engaging through anotheropening in said front sheet, the pivotal connection between saidillustrated piece and said back sheet comprising a headed lug on one ofthese parts engaging through an opening on the other of these parts.

3. In an animated illustration, an illustrated front sheet having a pairof spaced openings, a back sheet having its end portions passing throughsaid openings and overlying said front sheet, and an illustrated pieceon said front sheet and pivotally connected with one of said endportions and having a projecting portion engaging through anotheropening in said front sheet, one of said pair of spacedopenings beingslightly Wider than that portion of the back sheet passing through itand the other of said pair of spaced openings being much wider than thatportion of the back sheet passing through it, whereby said back sheetmay be pivoted and moved longitudinally or moved in component motions ofthese movements.

4. In an animated illustration, an illustrated front sheet having a pairof spaced openings, a back sheet having its end portions passing throughsaid openings and overlying said front sheet, and an illustrated pieceon said front sheet and pivotally connected with one of said endportions and having a projecting portion engaging through anotheropening in said front sheet, said projecting portion being slightlynarrower than the opening through which it passes so that theillustrated piece will be pivotally moved when said back sheet is moved.

5. In an animated illustration, a front sheet having a pair of spacedopenings, a back sheet having its end portions passing through saidspaced openings and overlying said front sheet and at least one of saidend portions being illustrated to fit into the illustration of saidfront sheet, and an illustrated piece on said front sheet and pivotallyconnected with said illustrated end portion and having a projectingportion engaging through another opening in said front sheet.

6. In an animated illustration, an illustrated front sheet having a pairof spaced openings, a back sheet having its end portions passing throughsaid openings and overlying said front sheet, an illustrated piece onsaid front sheet and pivotally connected with one of said end portionsand having a projecting portion engaging through another opening in saidfront sheet, a second illustrated piece on said front sheet andpivotally connected with said first named illustrated piece and having aprojecting portion engaging through another opening in said front sheet.

7. In an animated illustration, an illustrated front sheet having a pairof spaced openings, a back sheet having its end portions passing throughsaid openings and overlying said front sheet, an illustrated piece onsaid front sheet and pivotally connected with one of said end portionsand having a projecting portion engaging through another opening in saidfront sheet, a second illustrated piece on said front sheet andpivotally connected with said first named illustrated piece and having aprojecting portion engaging through another opening in said front sheet,said illustrated pieces being pivotally connected with said back sheetwith a headed lug on one of the parts engaging through openings in theother of the parts.

' JULIAN R. WEHR.

